A RESTAURATEUR from Hawick who admitted careless driving on the A7 has been fined £600 and had his licence endorsed with six penalty points.

Forty-four-year-old Simone Falcone pleaded guilty to driving at excessive speeds on the major road near Ashkirk on the evening of November 27.

Drew Long, prosecuting, told Selkirk Sheriff Court how police officers tracked Falcone's vehicle and he was driving his Audi between 75mph and 96mph for long spells – the limit for the road is 60mph.

He continued: "Eventually officers caught up with him and they found him to be quite dismissive at what had been going on."

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said: "The roads were quiet at the time. All of this took place on the A7 and none of that is a built-up area.

"Having said that he does not take this lightly at all.

"The police that stopped him had offered to give him a fixed penalty but he took umbrage that there was another vehicle driving similarly which the police ignored.

"He regrets that. His driving licence is clean and he needs his licence to pick up all the supplies for his business."

Sheriff Peter Paterson said the driving at excessive speed made the offence the upper end of careless driving and endorsed his licence with six penalty points.

The fine of £600 was reduced from £700 due to the guilty plea with a £40 victim surcharge.